The Star-Spangled Banner

The Star-Spangled Banner is the national anthem of the United States. The words come from a poem called the "Defence of Fort M'Henry," written by an American lawyer named Francis Scott Key in 1814. He wrote it after seeing the British Royal Navy attack Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812. Key was inspired by a big U.S. flag with 15 stars and 15 stripes, called the Star-Spangled Banner, that was still flying over the fort after the battle.

The poem was set to music from a popular British song written by John Stafford Smith for a gentlemen's club in London called the Anacreontic Society. This music became a well-loved patriotic song in the United States. It is famous for being very hard to sing because of its wide range of notes, especially the high parts that people usually sing today. Although the poem has four stanzas, most people only sing the first one.

"The Star-Spangled Banner" was first used officially by the United States Navy in 1889. In 1931, the U.S. Congress made the song the official national anthem of the United States, and President Herbert Hoover signed it into law. This decision is now part of 36 U.S.C. § 301(a).

History

Francis Scott Key's lyrics

Francis Scott Key's original manuscript copy of his "Defence of Fort M'Henry" poem, now on display at the Maryland Historical Society

On August 28, 1814, a man named William Beanes was taken by British forces during a battle. Francis Scott Key, a lawyer, tried to help get him released. Key traveled to meet with British leaders and was allowed to speak with them.

During a big battle, Key watched from a ship as Fort McHenry was attacked. When the fighting stopped, a large flag with 15 stars and 15 stripes was raised above the fort. This sight inspired Key to write a poem called "Defence of Fort M'Henry." He finished the poem later that night and it was printed and shared widely.

An artist's rendering of the battle at Fort McHenry

John Stafford Smith's music

Key shared his poem with his brother-in-law, who noticed the words fit a popular tune. The poem was printed and became very popular. A musician named John Stafford Smith had written the tune many years before, and it was used for Key’s poem. Over time, the song became the official national anthem of the United States.

National anthem

The song became very popular and was played at many events. In 1930, a large group of people signed a petition asking for the song to be made the official national anthem. In 1931, President Herbert Hoover signed a law making "The Star-Spangled Banner" the national anthem of the United States. Usually, only the first part of the poem is sung, even though there are more verses.

Modern history

Main article: Performances and adaptations of The Star-Spangled Banner

Crowd performing the U.S. national anthem before a baseball game at Coors Field in Denver

The song "The Star-Spangled Banner" can be hard for non-professional singers because it uses a wide range of notes. Sometimes, famous singers forget the words, so it is often played while they pretend to sing along. Pop singer Christina Aguilera once sang the wrong words before a big football game.

Since the end of World War II, the song has been sung at the start of football games. It is also sometimes sung at hockey, soccer, and baseball games, especially when teams from both the United States and Canada are playing.

Two special performances happened after the September 11 attacks in 2001. The Queen of the United Kingdom allowed the song to be played at a ceremony in London as a sign of support. The next day, she joined in singing it at a memorial service.

The 200th anniversary of the song was celebrated in 2014 with special events, including a new arrangement by famous composer John Williams and a performance by President Barack Obama at Fort McHenry in Baltimore.

The song has been performed in many different styles by famous musicians. Other famous singers like Marvin Gaye, Whitney Houston, and Aretha Franklin have also performed the song in their own special ways. In 2026, singer Charlie Puth gave a highly praised performance of the anthem at the Super Bowl.

Lyrics

"The Star-Spangled Banner" has four verses, but most people only sing the first one.

O say, can you see, by the dawn's early light, What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming? And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there; O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave, O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

There is also an unofficial fifth verse written during the American Civil War that speaks about keeping the country's flag proud and free.

Sheet music Playⓘ

Customs and federal law

A plaque in Tacoma, Washington, detailing the history and custom of standing during the U.S. national anthem

When the United States chose its national anthem in 1931, there were no rules about how people should act when it played. Over time, laws were made to help guide this.

In 1942, people in military uniforms were asked to salute while others stood still, and men took off their hats. Later changes in 1942 and 1976 said that everyone should stand still and put their hands on their hearts, with men taking off their hats, even if the flag was not shown.

Since 1998, the law says that when the flag is shown, everyone should stand still. People not in military uniforms should face the flag and put their right hand on their hearts. Members of the Armed Forces and veterans may salute, even if not in uniform. The law suggests these actions but does not require them, and people can choose what to do based on their own beliefs.

Translations

Many people who came to the United States spoke languages other than English. So, the words of America’s national anthem have been turned into many different languages.

In 1861, the words were turned into the German language in the United States to help German-American military service during the American Civil War. The Library of Congress has a version in Spanish-language from 1919. Since then, people have turned the anthem into Hebrew, Yiddish, Latin American Spanish, Louisiana French, Irish, and Scottish Gaelic. There is even a version in Latin.

The anthem has also been turned into indigenous languages of North America, such as Navajo, Cherokee, as well as Samoan from Polynesia.

Protests

Main article: U.S. national anthem protests

1968 Olympics Black Power salute

Main article: 1968 Olympics Black Power salute

In 1968, two American athletes, Tommie Smith and John Carlos, made a strong statement during the Olympics in Mexico City. After a race, they stood with their fists raised as the national anthem played. They wanted to show support for human rights and against unfair treatment. This moment is remembered for standing up for equality.

Protests against racism and police brutality (2016–present)

Main article: U.S. national anthem kneeling protests

In 2016, a football player named Colin Kaepernick began kneeling during the national anthem to protest unfair treatment by police. Since then, many other athletes have joined these protests. These actions continue to highlight the need for fairness and justice.

California chapter of the NAACP call to remove the national anthem

In 2017, a group in California asked Congress to change the national anthem. They felt that some of the words in the song were unfair and did not represent everyone. They wanted someone to help bring this idea to Congress.

2025 Canada protests

In 2025, after some political statements about Canada and the U.S., crowds in Canada booed the national anthem during games between the two countries. This showed their feelings about recent events and policies.